
,/l/y3 



'% 



/ 










MnNt>i^B,'^r~ UiTHF 




: - _ If you want a book devoted exclu- 

Fifty sively to beautiful views of Washington 

Glimpses of City, send us twenty-five cents in 
WsiSllillg'tOU. stamps, and we will mail you " FIFTY 
GLIMPSES OF WASHINGTON/' 
containing fifty of the most popular views tastefully bound. 
Among them are interior views of the Capitol, showing 
the Senate Chamber and House of Representatives, home 
of the Chinese Legation, view of White House, Treasury, 
and War, State, and Navy Buildings, from top of Wash- 
ington Monument, an elevation of 500 feet, and many- 
other novel and beautiful views of parks, fountains, 
statues, churches, residences, etc., etc. 



In this Announcement we give seven 

Views of pages of illustiations showing difterent 

"Wasllillgton. views of the National Capital, which 

is the pride of every patriotic American. 

These illustrations have been made from the best photo- 
graphs for our exclusive use. 

The page showing Mount Vernon, the Soldiers' Home, 
and Arlington needs a word of explanation, as they are 
Teally not in Washington, but its environments. 

The page shows Mount Vernon, the old home of Wash- 
ington, on the west bank of the Potomac, about sixteen 
miles below the City; Arlington, separated from the city 
bv the Potomac, formerly the home ot General Lee, but 
now the National Cemetery for ex-Union soldiers and 
sailors; and the Soldiers' Home with its hundreds of acres 
of beautiful grounds located two miles north of the city. 



Smithsonian 

institi h 







THE 

l^ational Correspondence Jnstitute, 

(Incorporated under the Laws of the District of Columbia,) 

Is a high-class School on the Correspondence plan, 
organized in 1893, and composed of seven complete 
departments. It is conducted by a combina- 
tion of educators who are specialists in 
their several lines. 
THE DEPARTMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 
(Instruction in all Departments by Mail only) 

Department of Bookkeeping and Business. 

Department of Shorthand and Typewriting. 

Department of Science. 

Department of Journalism. 

Department of Drafting. 

Department of Engineering. 

Department of Civil Service Examinations. 



CONSIDER THIS. You 

departments at y 



in take a complete course in any of the above 
home for one-fourth of what it would cost you 
^_ college, and at the same time continue your present em- 

ployment. Our courses are complete, our instructors are authors, 
and the best in the country. Send for Announcement of Department 
in which you are interested. 
References (Second National Bank, 2d National Bank Building. 
by J National_Capital Bank,^i6 Penna. Aye.^ S. E. 



Permission: (Capital Trust Co., 300 Penna Ave., S. E. 



This Announcement is devoted to the interests of the 
DEPARTMENT OF 

Civil Service Examinations. 

J. W. MCKINLEY, LL M , MANAGER. 



Persons Prepared for all U. S. Civil Service Examinations. 



J. S. JOHNSON, B. S., A. M., Ph. D., 

Formerly Member of Faculty of Columbian University. 

D. OLIN LEECH, M. D., 

Member of the Faculty 01 Medical Department of the National University. 

EDWARD L. QIES, A. M., LL. B., 

Member of Washington Bar and Bar of Supreme Court of United States. 

C. BARNWELL ROBINSON, V. S., 

Dean of United States College oi Veterinary Surgeons. 

MORRIS filEN, Ph. B., 

Formerly Topographer U. S. Geological Survey. 

CARROLL D. JUDSON, LL. B., 

MemberWashington Bar and formerly Special Examiner,U. S. Pension OfiSce. 

WALTER L. MENAUGH, 

Instructor for Government Printing Service Examinations. 

FRANK LONQWITH, 

Expert Accountant and Instructor in Business 
Experience and Author of " Practical Course i: 



ranches of Twenty Years 
Actual Business," Etc. 



WILLIAM 

L all Systems and a 



McDEVITT, 

thor of "Am 



Expert in all Systems and author of "American Fono-Stenografy.' 
OTHER SPECIALISTS AND ASSISTANTS AS REQUIRED. 



Communications about the Government Service sliould be addressed to 
NATIONAI- COKBESPONDENCE INSTITUTE, DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SBKVICE EXAMINATIONS, 

Second National Bank Building, Waslilngtou, D. C. 

m-^rite your name and post ofBce PLAINLY. (Copyright, 1S9S, by the National Correspondence Institute. All rights reserved.) 



The Key 

to the 

Situation. 



This paragraph should be read first in 
order to get an idea of our object in sending 
out this Announcement. Our object is to 
give you a general idea of the Civil Service 
Commission (and the local boards through- 
out the United States under its control), to acquaint you with 
its method of conducting examinations, the manner in which 
positions are filled, and the po- 
sitions that are under its control. 
While we do not attempt to give 
details, we hope that a careful 
perusal of this pamphlet will be 
found of value in making intel- 
ligible a very complex and sel- 
dom understood subject. Very 
few persons, even Members of 
Congress, thoroughly understand 
the methods and niles of the 
Commission, and the advice of 
well-informed public men is 
often disastrously misleading. 
We also desire to call your at- 
tention to our methods of assist- 
ing persons to pass the examin- 
ations and thereby secure 
appointments. 

It would require a book fifty times the size 
Do Not Expect of this to give all the details of the Govern- 
Too Much. ment service, such as all the positions, sala- 
ries of each, the subjects of examinations, 
tables showing the number of appointments to the different 
positions from the different States and the hundreds of offices 
throughout the country, the multiplicity of rules of the Com- 
mission and the law governing all classes of cases. We give, 




therefore, only a general outline, which we have tried to make 
so plain as to be readily understood. 

By the " Classified Service " is meant all 

The Classified Governmentpositions, appointment to which 

Service. must be made from a list of those who have 

passed an examination given by tlie Civil 

Service Commission or some Local Board under the direction 

of the Commission. 

By the sweeping orders of May 6, and Nov. 2, 1896, 
A Chance I'resldent Cleveland added 87,663 places to the 

classified service. He has extended the service so 
PqI* W\^ as to cover 64 Internal Revenue Offices; the Govern- 
ment Printing Office — 3.000 employes ; the pension 
offices in the diflferent States— 600 clerks; the fire- 
men, engineers and assistants in the Departments ; 450 additional positions 
in the Agricultural Department ; 100 Geological experts, certain classes of 
skilled workmen, and many other miscellaneous positions. 

The Postal Service was greatly extended, and this was followed by exten- 
sions in the Indian Service. The last great extension of the classified service 
revises the entire service and changes it from seven branches to five greater 
branches, including the former seven and adding thousands of new places. 

Ti_ T^££ These extensions are the most important since the 

The Effect inauguration of the system more than a decade ago. 

They took effect immediately. Their practical extent 

of the Recent was the classification of all Government employes be- 

. low the rank of those subject to nomination by the 

Extensions. President and confirmation by the senate and above 

the grades of unskilled laborers or workmen, with a 

few exceptions. 

The new rules add 32,000 positions to the classified list, increasing thenumber 
of classified positioiis to S7.t07. The number of places which are excepted 
from examination has been reduced from 2,099 to 775, being mainly 
positions as cashiers in the customs, postal and internal revenue services, a 
few confidential clerks and Indians employed in minor capacities in the 
Indian service. 

Almost all the positions in Washington which have hitherto been excepted 
are now included in the competitive list. The only positions in Wash- 
ington which will be excepted ttom examination under the new rules 
will be private secretaries or confidential clerks (not exceeding two) to the 
President and to the head of each of the eight executive departments. 

No positions will hereafter be subject to non-competitive examination, 
except in the case of Indians employed in a teaching capacity in the Indian 
service. 

The revision of the rules divides the executive civil service into five 
branches, viz.: the DKPARTMENT.AL, CUSTOM HOUSE, POST 
OFFICE, GOVERNMENT PKINTING aud INTERNAL REVENUE 
SERVICES. 

In the DEPARTMENTAL SERV^CE are classified all officers and em- 
ploy^, except persons merely employed as laborersor workmen, and persons 
who have been nominated forconfirmation by the Senate, who are serving in 
or on detail from the executive departments, commiBsioners and officers in the 



District of Columbia, the railway mail service, Indian service, all pension 
agencies, steamboat inspection service, marine hospital service, light-house 
service, all mints and assay ofSces, revenue cutter service, force employed 
under custodians of public buildings, several sub-treasuries, engineer depart- 
ment at large and the ordnance department at large. 

Employes outside of the District of Columbia not employed in any of these 
capacities are also classified in the departmental service, as follows : Those 
serving in clerical capacity, watchman or messenger, physician, hospita' 
steward or nuree, or whose duties are of a medical nature ; draftsman, civL 
engineer, steam engineer, electrical engineer, computer or fireman; super 
intendent of construction, superintendent of repair, or foreman in the Super 
vising Architect's office, and those in the service of the Treasury Department 
in any capacity, those employed in the Department of Justice under the 
annual appropriation for the investigation of official acts, records and ac- 
counts of officers of the courts, and all officers and employes in the peni- 
tentiary service who arebv law subject to classification. 

In the CUSTOM HOUSE SERVICE are classified all oflcers and em- 
ployes in anv custom district whose employes number as many a^five (increas- 
ing' the number of offices to 79), except persons merely employed as laborers 
or workmen, and persons who have been nominated for confirmation by the 

In the POST OFFICE SERVICE are classified all officers and employ^ 
in anv free delivery post office, except persons merely employed as laborers 
or workmen, and persons who have been nominated for confirmation by the 
Senate. 

In the INTERNAL, REVENUE SERVICE are classified all officers and 
employi^s in any internal revenue district except persons merely employed 
as laborers or workmen and persons who have been nominated for coiifirma- 
tion by the Senate. 

Amendment to Civil Service Rule II : 
President " ^^ removal shall be made from any position sub- 

ject to competitive examination except lor just cause 
McKinlev'S and upon written charges filed with the head of the 
J department or other appointing officer, and of which 

Order. '^'^ accused shall have full notice and an opportunity 

to make defense." 
He also amended Rule III so as to include within 
the classified service the employes of all custom house offices ivithout regard to 
the number of employes. Hitherto the classiflcation embraced customs offices 
where the number of employes was five or more. This order brings into the 
classified service sixty-five hitherto unclassified customs offices. 

Tlie President of the Civil Service Commission, referring to this order, 
said that " the friends of Civil Service reform everywhere could congratulae 
themselves on this most important advance of the cause." — [From the Washington 
Post, July 29, 1897.] 

The President's order prescribing the examination 
Cf\n<zii\ar of consuls who receive a compensation of more than 
wuiisuiai jj |,Qg g^j^^ jggg ^^^^ j2,500 will apply to 196 offices, of 

Service which 175 are salaried and 21 fee offices. 

These examinations are not under the control of the 
Civil Service Commission, but are conducted by a 
board of Examiners who are officials of the State Department. The applicant 
must secure the consent of the President of the United States before being permitted 
to take the examination. It is practically a method of making a selection 
from a number ot applicants on the basis of merit. Examinations will not 
be held on any regular dates, but as required. 



The 
Internal 
Revenue 



Examinations for 
the classified Inter 
nal Revenue Set 
vice are now held 



THE INT^RNftl- 
REVENUE. 




Service "^°'' ^^^ positions ot 

deputy coUectoi , 
clerk, gauger, storekeeper, storekeepei 
and gauger combined, and messengei 
Applicants are examined as to then 
relative capacity and fitness. There is 
but one grade of examination, viz.: 

C L E R K— S TORE KEEPER— 
GAUGER, the subjects of which are 
Spelling, Arithmetic, Penmanship, 
Copying, Letter Writing and Elemen 
tary Physics pertaining to gauging 
(This last subject is one on which 
every applicant should have some 
special instruction. It is quite technical in its character. See 
our " Elementary Physics pertaining to Gauging," on page 24.) 
The Government Printing Ofiice has been 
'"^ classified and all the positions are included 

Qovernment except Public Printer and unskilled laborers. 
Printing The Civil Service Commission will now ex- 
Service. amine applicants for the positions of com- 
positor, pressman, bookbinder, stereotyper, 
electrotyper, etc., and for such minor positions as feeder, helper, 
folder, sewer, counter, numberer, gatherer, etc., in the Govern- 
ment Printing Ofiice. There are six regular examinations for 
positions in this service : compositor, pressman, bookbinder, 
stereotyper, electrotyper and skilled laborer. 

Men only will be certified for the position of pressman, bookbinder, stereo- 
typer and" electrotyper ; but both men and women for the positions of com- 
positor and skilled"laborer. Persons who pass the skilled laborer examination 
become eligible to such minor positions as feeder, helper, folder, sewej. 
counter, numberer, gatherer, etc. 



The subjects of ihe compositor examination are as follows : 
(1) Spelling; (2) Arithmetic; (3) Letter-writing; (4) Pen- 
manship; (5) Copying from plain copy; (6) Practical ques- 
tions. Copying from rough draft is an additional subject re- 
quired and is rated high. The first five subjects all together 
count 8, while copying from rough draft counts 4. 
The subjects of the pressman, bookbinder, stereotyper, elec- 
trotyper, and skilled laborer 
examinations are as follows : 
(1) Orthography ; (2) Penman- 
ship ; (3) Copying from plain 
copy; (4) Letter-writing; (5) 
.Arithmetic. 

Applicants for the position of com- 
positor, pressman, boolibinder, stere- 
otyper or electrotyper will not be ad- 
mitted to examination unless they 
have had Ave years' experience in 
the particular trade in which they 
desire to be employed, thiee years ot 
which must have been rendered as 
an apprentice, and one year as a 
journeyman. 

You should have us prepare 
you particularly for the com- 
positor examination and give 
you some work on the practical part of the same. This consists 
of (a) copying rough draft; (6) correction of proof ; (c) con- 
struction of tables; {d) abbreviations. Many good printers 
have already failed on the above practical test. It is different 
from the work done in printing offices generally. 

By the U. S. Civil Service Commission and 
What the the local boards under its control is meant 
Commission is. the officers who have charge of the exami- 
nations Some people claim that it is put- 




ting too much power into the hands of a few men. This is 
unfair, and they claim it because they do not know how little 
power the Commission has. The Commission is no more than 
a body of clerks who formulate questions, conduct examinations, 
mark the papers according to certain rules, and see that the 
civil service law is not violated. The papers are, after being 
graded, open to the inspection of the person examined (or his 
" authorized agent " ), and there is no chance for any unfairness. 
The names of the persons examined are entered on the register 
in the order of their standing. When a vacancy occurs in any 
department or branch of the service, the Head of the Depart- 
ment or the Appointing Officer calls for the names of three per- 
sons and the Coiniiiission must send tlie names and 
examination papers of the three highest on the list 
(they have no discretion in the matter), and the Appointing 
Officer MUST select one of the three. The choice being indi- 
cated, the appointment is made, and the two remaining names 
returned to the Register to await the next call. Thus you see 
tlie Commission has no more to say about an appointment or dumis- 
sal of any person than a clerk in any of ike other departments or an 
entire outsider. They can do applicants no good, neither can tliey do 
them tlie slightest harm. All claims to the contrary are, therefore, 
misrepresentations. 

The foregoing shows exactly how appoint- 
Political ments are made, and political or other 

Influence, influence is, therefore, worthless. The 
only chance for it would be in selecting one 
of the three highest whose application blank and examination 
papers are sent, but there is nothing in them to show the poli- 
tics, religion or even the color of the eligibles. 

Some of the positions, the examination 
for which we can prepare you, are as fol- 
Different lows : 
Examinations. Departmental Service. — General Clerk- 
ship (Clerk) ; Special Examiner (Pension 



The 



Office) ; Assistant ExamiBer (Patent Office) ; State De- 
partment Clerk ; Book-keeper ; Stenographer ; Typewriter ; 
Languages ; Topographic and Meclianical Drafting ; all Fish 
Commission examinations ; Meat Inspector ; Tagger and Stock 
Examiner ; Engineer and Machinist ; Watchman, Messenger, 
Messenger Boy, etc., etc. 

Note.— The examination for Post Office Inspector has been discontinued 
by the Commission. There is no examination for Secret Service or Govern- 
ment Detective. 

Customs Service. — Clerk — Day Inspector ; Assistant Weigher 
^Messenger; Watchman — Inspectress. The latter includes the 
following positions, "viz.; Watchman, Night Inspector, Opener 
and Packer, Inspectress, Foreman, Janitor, Porter, Attendant and 
Boatman. 

Postal Service. — Clerk-Carrier. 

Railway Mail Service. — Clerk. 

Indian Service. — Supt. and Princii^al Teacher, Teacher 
(Advanced Primary and Primary), Matron, Physician, Teacher 
of Industries, Industrial Teacher, Farmer, Nurse and Seamstress. 

Internal Bevenue Service. — Clerk, Storekeeper-Gauger. 
This examination is for the following positions, viz.: Clerk, 
Ganger, Storekeeper and Storekeeper-Gauger (Storekeeper and 
Ganger combined). Deputy Collector, Messenger. See page 7. 

Government Printing Office. — Compositor, Pressman, Book- 
binder, Stereotyper and Electrotyper, Skilled Laborer. The 
last examination is for the position of /eedt,'r, helper, folder, sewer, 
counter, numberer, gatherer, etc. See page 7. 

Note. — A radical change has been made in the relative weights of subjects 
and of comparative weights of what is now linown as the B-\sis examina- 
tion and the Auxiliary examination. 

The Basis examination is divided into three grades ; the first, the most diffi- 
cult ; the third, the easiest ; and the second, intermediate. The Basis exam- 
ination is confined to the English branches. The Auxiliary examination is 
that which is taken in addition to the Basis to test the practical skill of the 
applicant. Want of space forbids further explanation here. 

We can prepare you for any examination given by 
the Civil Service Commission. Our instructors are specialisU 
and masters of every subject given in any examination in any 



of the five branches of the Government service. (Railway 
Mail and Indian Services are now included in the Departmental 
Service.) W^e know tlie scope of all tlie examina- 
tions. 



/ IW THE- 



Note. — Examinations of a tech- 
nical or scientific character are held 
only when vacancies exist. No 
definite information as to the sub- 
jects or salaries of such examina- 
tions can be given before the va- 
cancies actually exist, as the exam- 
inations must be adapted to the 
exact character of the work to be 
done. The following is a list of 
such positions : Computer, botanist, 
chemist, astronomer, architectural 
draftsman, civil engineer, nautical 
expert, microscopist, ornithologist, 
editorial cleric, anatomist, climatolo- 
gist, pomologist, entomologist, horticul- 
turist, vegetable pathologist, forestry 
cleric, photographer, librarian and 
bibliographer, chart corrector, cartographic draftsman and mechani- 
cal engineer, copyist of mechanical drawings, electrician, supervisor 
of Indian Schools, day school inspector, assayer, positions in the 
steamboat inspection service, marine hospital service, life saving ser- 
vice, revenue cutter service, light-house service, etc. 

Examinations are held in diflerent parts of 

When and all States and Territories. (See "Schedule 

Where Held. °^ -^•'''"''*'"''*°'**'" inclosed.) After taking 

the examination, if the applicant's grade is 

70 per cent, or more, his name is entered on the " eligible list," 

and he is so notified. After taking one examination the appli- 




cant is not eligible to another for one year. One may as well 
fail as pass at a low grade, for in neither case will one secure an 
appointment. 

No person is eligible to an examina- 
tion — 

1. Who is not a citizen of the United 
States ; 

2. Who is not within the age limitations 
prescribed for the examinations for which 

he applies (see "age limits") ; 

3. Who is physically disquali- 
fied for the service which he 



Who 

Cannot 

Take 

Examinations. 



4. Who is addicted to the hab- 
itual use of intoxicating bever- 
ages to excess ; 

5. Who is at the time he ap- 
plies an applicant or an eligible 
for another branch of the service; 

6. Who is enlisted in the Army 
or Navy, and has not secured 
permission for his examination 

lU "■*? — ;£( |W|| . [ft I l''ll I from the head of the department 

). I"'v'^ tm IV .', under which he is enlisted ; 

7. Who has been dismissed from the public service for delin- 
quency or misconduct within one year preceding the date of his 
application ; 

8. Who, within one year, has taken the same kind of an ex- 
amination for which he wishes again to apply ; 

9. Who has made a false statement in his application, or has 
been guilty of fraud or deceit in any manner connected with 
his application or examination, or who has been guilty of crime, 
or infamous or notoriously disgraceful conduct ; 




10. Applicants for the Railway Mail Service must be at least 
5 feet 4 inches tall, and weigh at least 125 pounds. In the Post 
Offices of some of the largest cities the height and weight re- 
quirements of the Railway Mail Service have been applied to 
the positions of Clerk and Carrier. 

• The following table gives the age limita- 

. tions as amended for all branches of the 

Limits. service : 

Mini Maxi- 
Departmenlai Sfrvu;e : mum. mum. 

Page, messenger boy, apprentice or student 14 20 

Printer's assistant and messenger 18 No limit. 

Positions in tiie Railway Mail Service 18 35 

Internes and hospital stewards in the Marine Hospital 
Service, and acting second assistant engineer in the 

Revenue Cutter Service 21 30 

Cadet in the Revenue Cutter Service, and aid in the Coast 

and Geodetic Survey 18 25 

Surfman in the Life-Saving Service 18 45 

Superintendent, physician, supervisor, day school inspec- 
tor, and disciplinarian in the Indian Service ; inspector 
and assistant inspector of hulls, and inspector and as- 
sistant inspector of boilers in the Steamboat Inspection 

Service 25 55 

All other positions 20 No limit. 

Custom-House Sermce: 

All positions 20 No limit. 

Post-Office Service: 

Letter carrier 21 40 

All other positions 18 No Umit. 

Oovemment Printing Sermce : 

All positions (male) 21 No limit. 

All positions (female) 18 No limit. 

Internal- Revenue Service : 

All positions 21 No limit. 

(The age limitations shall not apply in the ease of the wife of the superin- 
tendent of an Indian school who applies for examination for the position of 
teacher or matron.) 

Any person honorably discharged from the military or naval service of the 
United States by reason of disability resulting from wovmds or sickness in- 
curred in the line of duty may be examined without regard to his age. 

" Uncle Sam " is a good paymaster. He 

Salaries. pays the highest wages, pays regularly, and his 

employes are not affected by "hard times." 

When one enrolls with us we submit a list of examinations 

for different positions, with the salaries paid in each class. To 

give a general idea of salaries, however, we give a few classes 



that they may be compared with salaries paid in other occupa- 
tions. Remember that all these positions are for 
life — or so long as the employ^ is not guilty of bad 
conduct or inefficiency. Appointment as clerk 
is ordinarily made at WO or $1,000 per 
annum. Those appointed as clerks are then 
eligible to promotion to $2,000. Special Exami- 
ners (Pension Office), at $1,300; Fourth Assistant 
Examiners (Patent Office), at $1,200. These 
are eligible to promotion to as high as $2,500 per annum. 
Salaries for other positions in the Departmental Service are 
similar to the few above. 

For the Indian service, superintendents and principal teachers 
receive from $720 to $1,700 ; teachers, $500 to $1,200; matron, 
$450 to $720 ; kindergarten teacher, nurse, farmer, etc., $600; 
physicians, $720 to $1,200 ; room, fuel and light are furnished 
free. 

Clerks in Eailwaj Mail Service are appointed at $800 per 
annum, vs'ith promotion to $1,800. 

The salaries paid in the Postal, Customs, and Internal 
Revenue services vary with the different offices. Want of 
space forbids a list which would embrace nearly one thousand 
offices. Inquire of the office in which you desire appointment, 
for salaries paid. 

Salaries in the Government Printing Office vary with the 
character of the work done. Compositors receive $3.20 per 
day, pressmen $i and bookbinders $3.20. An effort is being 
made to have the salaries for all the trades made at the rate of 
$4 per day. Skilled laborers receive from $35 to $50 per month. 
Prospect of Appointment. 
[Extracts fkom Pajlphlet of the Ci\il Service Commission.] 
"Departmental Service. — Entrance to the service is usually in the low- 
est grades, the higher grades being tilled gePerally by promotion. The 
chances of promotion vary so much in the diflerent Departments 
that no special information on the subject can be given. The usual entrance 
grade is at S900. The supply of male eligibles In stenography and typewriting 
ia barely equal to the demand. 



" The appointments from the North Atlantic and North Central States are 
chiefly made from the special registers. 

" The number of women appointed to the service during the last year 
and a half from the clerk-copyist 
register was only six. A woman 
must make a grade of about 90 
per cent, in order to have much 
chance of appointment from the 
clerk-copyist registers, and in 
typewriting only those women 
who pass at a grade above 88 per 
cent, have a good chance of ap- 
pointment. 

" Kailway Mail Service. — As 
the number of persons exam- 
ined for the Railway Mail Serv- 
ice is far in excess of the num- 
ber appointed, only those who 
stand high on the register have 
any chance of being certified. 
Eligibles, except from the States 
and Territories of small popula- 
tion, who have grades below 88 
have little prospect of appoint- 
ment." (About 700 appointments 
made yearly, and a high grade 
must be made.) 

♦* Indian Service. — Places of 
superintendent are usually filled 
by the promotion of teachers. The chances of appointment as teachers, 
particularly of women, and as matrons, are very good, as the supply of eli- 
gibles is sometimes not equal to the demand. Few calls are made for phy- 
sicians, and it is necessary to have a grade above 86 to have a good chance 
of appointment." 

Customs Service — The total number of appointments made for the 
year ending June 30, 1896 (the last statistics published, and does not 
include the extensions to the service made by ex-President Cleveland and 
President McKinley), were 460. This includes 3S9 non-exoepted places, of 
which 75 were reinstatements. Of those appointed from competitive ex- 
amination, 55 were clerks, 69 day inspectors, 26 night inspectors, 4 samplers, 
35 messengers, 49 assistant weighers, 17 watchmen, 32 openers and packers, 
14 examiners, etc. 

The number appointed at some of the larger offices are as follows : Balti 
more, 9 ; Boston, 25; Burlington, 11 ; Detroit, H ; New York, 160 ; Philadel 
phia, 30 ; San Francisco, 22. 




Postal Service This includes Clerks, Carriers and Messengers in all 

the classified post offices. The total number of appointments given for year 
ending June 30, 18911— the last published to January 1, 1898— was 3,HS. The 
larger the office the better the chance for appointment— to those who 
are at tlie head of the list. 

luternal Revenue Service and Government Printing OiJlce.- The 
chances for appointment in the Internal Revenue Service and the Govern- 
ment Printing Office are of course very goo<l owing to the recent classifica- 
tion. It has been difficult to obtain sufficient eligibles to fill the vacancies. 

has been particularly duljcuit for the Government Printing Office. It has 
been necessary to holu extra examinations and advertise for applicants. 
The chances for appointment will possibly never be as good again as they 
are now. 

Note.— The Internal Revenue Service and the Government Printing Office 
have so lately been classified that no recent statistics can be given at present. 

The total number of appointments to the five branches of the Govern- 
ment service for the last eightyears is as follows ; 3,781 ; 5,182 ; 5,395 ; 3,9G1 ; 
4,291 ; 4.701 : 4,793 ; 5,086. No official figures since .lune, 1896. 1897 and 
1898 wiU show a big increase, owing to the addition of 30,000 positions 
to the classified service. 

The Civil Service Commission says: ^' The time of 
'' It is Difficult examination is not considered in making certifica- 
tions, as the highest in grade on the register must be 
certified first, although they may not have been the 
Appointment.'* first examined. Each applicant tn/ his examination de- 
cides his ovm standing, and hence his own chances of an 
eaiiy appointment." 

On account of there being several thousands who pass the examination 
each year, the idea prevails among persons not acquainted with the Civil 
Service rules and regulations, that there is a very slight chance of appoint- 
ment. Many persons think that all those who pass must be appointed before 
those examined at a later date. This is an erroneous impression, as every 
one who passes is eligible to appointment on that examination for only one 
year. Again, if there were ten thousand on the rolls and eligible to appoint- 
ment and the highest grade was 91.5, you would be the first to be certified if 
you were to make a grade of 91.6, irrespective of the time you were exam- 
ined. (See " Extracts from Students' Letters," lor early appointments.) 

We agree, on payment of the Enrollment 
Our Plan. Fee, to take you in charge, to advise and in- 
struct you within a limit of five years without 
further compensation until you secure a position in the Govern- 
ment service. As soon as we receive the Enrollment Fee, and the 



to get an 



inclosed application blank properly signed, we mail you a list 
of the kinds of examinations from which a selection is to be 
made. You fill our "Infoimation blank," which will be in- 
closed, and from that we can tell whether you are fitted for the 
kind of examination you desire, and whether it is possible for 
us to prepare you for that particular examination so that you 
may be successful. Often we find a person has selected an ex- 
amination which will lead to a branch of the service paying 
lower salaries than some other which requires an examination 
less diflji-ult. In this matter alone our experience and knowl- 
edge of tire Government service enaliles us to assist our patrons 
to that branch of the service which will, in a few years, mean a 
difference of thousands of dollars to them. Having decided 
on the kind of examination, we begin a complete course of in- 
struction. 

We originated all our methods and were 
Course the first to instruct for Civil Service exami- 

of nations by mail. The plan consists of a series 

Instruction '^^ examinations, -special and general work. 
The first is our "Trial" examination, 
and from it we discover your weak points. Next follows our 
special instructions to fit each indindual case and general work. 
Along with this are our '"Test" examinations, which are to 
represent the work as it will be done in the examination by the 
Civil Service Commission. In all our "Trial" and "Test" 
work we send complete lists of questions for the particular ex- 
amination for which we are preparing you. The questions are 
taken from list.'^ which have hetn used by the Commission, and will 
cover the whole scope of their questions. The papers are 
marked and graded by us according to the rules of lite Commis- 
sion and returned to you. This plan is pursued until you become 
thoroughly acquainted and accustomed to the requirements of the 
e.vaminers and the Commission. We also note all of the 
most common errors, and in this way give you a general 
preparation. The strong point about our instruction is 



that it is individual, it points out your errors and 
sliows you liow to improve. This cannot be accom- 
plished by uDguidf d study of books or by any form of general 
instructions that are for all alike. You do not know what you 
should know or there would be no necessity for study. Hereto- 
fore the only way for an applicant to get any information was 
by talcing an examination, but now we can prepare him in 
advance, giving him the same experience lie would. 
deriA^e from a score of examinations. Possibly not 
one in a thousand gets a position on tlie first examination, 
and a very few after taking the second examination. More 
receive appointments after the third trial, and so on. This 
proves that their success in getting a grade high enouglr for 
appointment came from the experience acquired in taking the 
examinations and " picking up " as best they could the techni- 
cal requirements of the Commission. The delay between exam- 
inations is one year, and any one will readily see the great 
saving in time, the improved chances of being appointed and 
the salary tvJiich might be earned in the meantime by taking our 
course. As it is to our interest, in order to get our commission, 
to assist you to a good paying position, we keep you thoroughly 
posted, advise and help you in evei'y honest way until you hy your 
own efforts alone secure an appointment. 

We revise our work often and are 

® continually improving- it. No effort or 

are the expense is being spared to make it as near 

Originators, perfect as it can possibly be made. We are 

the originators and we are deter- 
mined to be the best always. Our students are our best 
advertisements ! Read what they say ! 

The time required to complete our coui'se 

Time varies with the aptitude and previous educa- 

Required. tional advantages of each individual and the 

amount of time devoted to the work each 
week. The usual time is from four to twelve weeks, a few hours' 



work each week. The time required depends on the time 
devoted to the work, previous education and the aptitude 
of the student. We never consent to any one's taking an 
examination until we are satisfied with the preparation, with- 
out regard to the time that has been taken. Work faster slow, 
as it suits you. We can give you the work as fast as you can 
take it. 

Our work for the postal service, the clekk- 
Postal CARRIER EXAMINATION, is exceptionally good. 

Service. The subjects are: Spelling, Penmanship, 
Copying, Letter-writing, Arithmetic, U. S. 
Geography, and Reading Addresses. (The subject. Local De- 
livery, has been discontinued.) The first five subjects consti- 
tute what is now known as the basis examination. Each sub- 
ject is given a "relative weight" and an average is found for 
the "basis." Geography and Reading Addresses each has a 
weight equal to the " basis," or, in other words, each of the last 
two subjects has a weight equal to the first five combined. Our 
work on Geography is so thorough that few of our students 
make less than a perfect grade — our best students always make 
a perfect grade on this subject. For practice in " Reading Ad- 
dresses," we have sets of cards similar to those used by the Civil 
Service Commission, and our method of work on that subject is 
exactly as used by the Commission, They are written by different 
persons, and give the greatest variety of handwritings and ad- 
dresses. A few of these drills make a wonderful improvement, 
and are really a necessity to one preparing for examination. 
Our work on the other subjects is also very thorough. Our 
work well done insures a high grade and appointment. 

The subjects of examination are : Spelling, 
Railway Penmanship, Copying, Letter- writing, Arith- 
riail metic, Geography of the United States, Rail- 

Service, ^^y Systems and Reading Addresses. The 
subjects most important in R. M. S. exami- 
nation are the last two. The subjects of the examinations 



are not all of equal importance. The first five subjects 
constitute, according to the new rules, the "basis ex- 
amination " of the second grade. The general average of the 
basis examination is given a relative weight of 2,and Geography, 
Railway Systems and Reading Addresses are given a weight of 
1 each. To find the general average for the whole examination, 
the general average on the basis is multiplied by 2, the grade 
on Geography, Railway Systems and Reading Addresses each 
by 1, and the sum of the product is divided by the sum of the 
relative weights, which is 5. Notice the importance of the last 
three subjects. Our work on these 
subjects — Geography, Railway Sys- 
tems and Reading Addresses, is ex- 
cellent. Our work in Railway Sys- 
tems — a subject difficult to study 
alone — is interesting as well as in- 
valuable. A good grade is assured 
^N ifour work is done as directed. The 
work for " Reading Addresses " is 
the same as explained for the Postal 
Service. Our work in (ieography 
covers the entire scope of the exam- 
inations, and our students seldom 
make less than a grade of 100. Our 
best students never do. No such 
drill can be had except witli us. 
We are the originators, and 
have poor imitators. A poor grade 
on the last two subjects, even with 
high grades on the first six, means 
a low average and »!0 appointment. 
Our work, well done, on copying, insures a grade of 100 in 
examination. We cover every point that may arise. Our work 
on Letter-Writing is equally thorough. {See extracts from the let- 
ters of our students. ) 




But the above will give you some idea of 
We Do Not our method. Our work for all other 
Tell All, branches of the service is just as thorough 

and complete as the explanation given for 
the Postal and Railway Mail Services. With our first instruc- 
tions we send a list of all the examinations, giving subjects of same^ 
salaries for the different positions, chances of appointment, etc. 
This information in this shape can not be had from any other 
source. There is nothing else like it in print. /( tuas compiled ex - 
pressly for our use,iontairis imichoriginalmatter, and is copyrighted. 

Our work does not cease with one or even 
When two examinations. Instructions cease only 

Our Work atexjnrationofthefive-yearperiodorwhena 
Ceases. position is secured, and there is no charge 
made l)efore that time except the Enroll- 
ment Fee. We will prepare you for one or as many examina- 
tions within that period without further cost than the Enroll- 
ment Fee which is paid at first, as is necessary for you to get 
an appointment. It is to our interest to have you so well 
prepared that you will make agradesufficiently high on the first 
examination to secure an appointment. 

Our work in this department is confidential. 
Confidential, so far as we are concerned. Those enrolled 
are at liberty to so announce themselves, but 
we receive a special request from some not to let the fact be 
known that they are preparing for an examination. The reason 
is a good one and perfectly proper. If they pass at a high 
grade and are appointed they want all the glory, and they do 
not want their friends (their enemies) to say it was because 
they received instruction to prepare for the examination. 
Very few persons want any one to know they have taken the 
examination until they learn they have passed at a high 
grade or have received an appointment. 



The only charge we make before appoint- 
Our Rates, ment is the enkollmbnt fee. When an 
appointment has been secured, we make an 
additional charge of three per cent, of the first year's salary, 
minus the original enroUment fee. Thus, if one is appointed at 
$1,000 per annum, our charge would be $30 for commission less 
the enrollment fee, paid at first, and the balance is to be paid 
after appointment, out of the first month's salary, and no 
further charge is ever made. (See "Rates of En- 
roUment" enclosed. If lost, write for another.) 

We have placed our rates at the lowest 
We Treat possible figure, and in justice to those who 

All Alike, have enrolled in the regular way and com- 
plied with all our requirements, we will 
not accept persons on any other terms. 

We charge our commission on 
Promotions, the original appointment only and 
the promotions afterward received are not 
subject to any charge. We advise and assist those whom we 
originally instructed to secure promotions, or transfers to other 
Departments, but for all such help we make no charge. The 
good words spoken by them in our behalf more than repay us 
for our time and trouble. 

The MERIT SYSTEM now in force places the highest salaries 
within the reach of all . These positions, that are gained through 
examinations, are for life, or so long as the conduct of the em- 
ploy6 is satisfactory. (See President McKinley's order.) 

Occasionally we receive letters from per- 

No Position, sons who wish to enroll on the plan of " no 

No Pay. position, no pay." They seem to forget that 

this is NOT an " Employment Bureau " where 

all that is to be done is to write the name on a Register and 

have some one call and select it. They lose sight of the fact 

that we give them a course of study the same as they would 

receive in any school and that it is in itself beneficial. We have 



received oflfers of $500 after a position was secured, if we would 
give our course of instructions on the above plan. We refuse 
all such ofiers, for the persons making them are, doubtless, 
unrehable. If we would work on the " no position, no pay " 
principle we could have 50,000 people to prepare each year. 
Everybody would want to try it, but we would be very foolish 
to assume all the risk. We must have some guarantee from 
those we instruct. They must be interested. 

Suppose we should prepare you for an ex- 
Such as Think amiuation and give you a course of instruc- 
We Should tions that would last a year or more, and you 
Do So, would conclude that you did not care to take 

Consider This : the examination, that you had secured other 

employment and did not want a position, or 
you should die, what would we get for all the work we have done f 
Any one who is in earnest and wants to take our course can, if 
he has not the money himself, find some friend who will advance 
the small amount of the Enrollment Fee for him. If his friends 
cannot trust him, we surely will not. Our installment plans 
are ^Adlthin the possibilities of all. 

The desire for the success of all enrolled 
It's Mutual, is mutual. They pay the Enrollment Fee as 

a guarantee of good work, and we put them 
through a course of special instructions, which we would not do 
for the amount paid at first, had we not the chance to get our 
commission when the appointment is secured and one month's 
salary has been earned. Our work is not done in all cases when 
one examination has been taken (as some fail to do themselves 
justice in examination through nervousness, when their work 
with us has been excellent). Tfiai is our risk. For that reason we 
are careful in accepting persons for enrollment, and we have 
never accepted any one with whom we have not had some cor- 
respondence or whose name has not been sent us by some 
reliable person and competent judge who recommends each one 
as such a person as we would desire. If our students do not 



succeed readily it is our loss. Is it any wonder we are careful 
in accepting, and do everything in our power to have each one 
succeed on the first examina- 
tion ? We also act as the " au- 
thorized agent " of each one we 
enroll, and see, when necessary, 
by the examination of his papers 
after they have been marked by 
the Commission that no error 
has been committed nor injustice 
done. When we find that a 
grade is not correct we ask the 
Commission for a regrading, and 
according to their rules they 
grant it. Mistakes are some- 
times made in grading the 
papers and it is important that 
corrections should be made. A 
slight increaie is very important. 

We positively do not guarantee 
L)o we positions. The Civil Service Commission 

Guarantee has the filling of positions, and no political 
a Position? or other "influence" can cause any devia- 
tion from the open and honest way in vihich 
positions (ire filled by the Commission. This gives to every 
citizen an equal chance of appointment. The only way to get a 
position in the Classified Service is to pass the examination with 
a grade good enough to place your name among the highest on 
the list. (See heading: " What the Commission is, " page 8. ) 
While we do not guarantee a position we do guarantee to do our 
best to place you at the head of the list. This position if reached 
is equivalent to an appointment. It is to our interest to do this. 
If we could guarantee positions we could easily get $500 or 
more for doing so. Positions that pay from $720 to $1,800 per 




annum and that can be held a lifetime are not so easily secured. 
Persons on salaries at $.50 per month would gladly give $500 to 
secure a position for life at $75 with promotion to $150 per 
month for tirelre months in the year — one of which is given for 
vacation and thirty days more allowed, if required, for sickness. 
Our Enrollment Fee is required as an evidence of good faith 
and a guarantee to do good, conscientious work on the part of 
the student and in many cases does not cover the actual cost of in- 
struction. By helping persons to secure these positions, which 
are given to the persons making the highest grade in com- 
petitive examinations, our profit is made. 



Who Will 



1. No person whose moral character is 
not such as is required by the United States 
Not Be Civil Service Commission need apply for in- 
Accepted, struction through this Institute. 2. Persons 
who are barred from examinations (see head- 
ing: "]no cim not take examinations," p&geW). 3. We will not 
enroll any one who does not possess a good common-school 
education. Tliis is positive. Our instruction in this department 
is addressed to those who already have a good English educa- 
tion, and we can enable intelligent persons of this sort to secure 
a higher grade in tlie Government examinations than a college 
professor can Secure without our help. It is not that a person 
knows a great amount, but that he knotvs the right thing, that 
enables him to get a high grade and an appointment. If you 
have not at least a good common-school education you need 
not consider this further until you have. Should any one state 
falsely in this regard, we reserve the right to refund the en- 
rollment fee and drop such person from our list. We have too 
many good applicants to accept those for whom there is but 
slight probability of appointment. If you are doubtful about 
your education write to us for advice. We want only those 
WHOM WE CAN HELP TO POSITIONS. To deal with others would 
be to our mutual disadvantage. 



Sooingr is DBolio^vixigT 

As there are so many "Correspondence Colleges," "Ciuil Service Schools," and "Preparation Schools" —that exist only on paper— advertising, pretending to be what they are not, and 

deceiving people who have not the means of investigating them, we — In justice to ourselves and by way of contrast— have had half-tone plates made from photographs, and 

herewith submit some Interior Views of the Offices of the National Correspondence Institute, Second National Bank Building, opposite Post Office Department, Washington, D. C. 

limber of the Inventive Age. Two views not given were used. 



Below 



• a pari of an article, with complete heading, as it appeared in the September 
THE NATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE INSTITUTE. 
A Successful School. —A Review of their Business Methods and Plan of Teaching. — 
With Interior Views, 



A description of Washington's correspondence college, the National Correspond- 
ence Institute, located on Seventh street in the Second National Bank building, 
opposite the Post Office Department, is of undoubted interest. This institution 
has attracted much attention in all parts of the country and, as it claims to have 
originated something, it was the business of the Inventive Age to inquire into it. 
A representative of "the Age called at the Institute and found so much matter of 
interest, that the result of his investigations is published somewhat at length for 
the benefit of our readers. 

The reporter found the manager. Mr. McKinley, in his office, and was received by 
him cordiallv and offered every facility for collecting full and accurate information. 

Mr. McKinley accompanied our reporter through the different offices of the 
Institute and explained everj'thin^. What would most naturally have attracted the 
attention of every visitor at first sight was the large rooms, with high ceilings, well 
lighted and ventilated, handsomely furnished with capacious desks and tables and 
revolving chairs, connected by a complete system of interior telephones, having 
general telephone exchange and provided with electric bells and fans, and heated 
m the winter by steam. 

The reception room adjoins the business office, where the accounts, bookkeeping 
and financial matters of the concern are looked after. On the same floor is the 
stock room, with great piles of statiouei-j', reams of printed blanks and forms, and 
copying machines. It is here that the instructions prepared by the professors 
antf put into typewritten letters in another department are copied and assorted for 
the students in the different classes. This matter is taken from the stock room 
to the mailing room on the same floor, where it is enveloped, directed, stamped and 
put iu the mail bags. 



On another floor, 
the building, and 



two long, wide roou 
upying the whole space 



, extending back the entire depth of 
3ver fifty clerks and typewriters were 
_ _ vork of correspondence." From the time the Fall season opens until 

Juiierihis number of employees will be doubl<: what it is now. On this floor the mails 
are received, letters opened and distributed to the proper sections. All letters 
relating to business proper are sent to the business office ; all questions from students 
relating to the respective studies are sent to one section to be answered ; all finished 
work sent in by students is sent to another section to be corrected, graded and 
returned with the necessary- explanations. It is here, too, that catalogues, announce- 
ments, notices, and circulars are prepared and correspondence carried on with 
prospective students. The views here given were taken when the employees were 
all out for lunch, and gives a view— not a very good one — of the rooms as they 
appeared at that time, and not fixed up for effect- 

The system of index cards, to which Mr. McKinley called the attention of our 
reporter, is the key to the arrangement and classification of all correspondence. 



It was originated by the manager himself, and copyrighted, and is used by this 
Institute as its exclusive property. 

The National Correspondence Institute is not a "Civil Service School" or "Civil 
Ser\'ice Institute,'' but an incorporated educational institution, consisting of seven 
departments, viz. : Bookkeeping and Business Shorthand and Typewriting, Science, 
Journalism, Drafting, Civil Engineering, and Civil Service examinations. 

Instruction by correspondence dates its origin from the plan of "university 

extension " which originated in England. It is nothing new and requires no special 

mention. Mr. McKinley was the first to model and adapt this plan to preparing 

candidates for civil service examinations. This was something novel and original. 

stroke of inventive ferttlitv and skill, for which he is entitled to the sole > 



rs ago and has been improving and perfecting it 
re and practical tests have shown that a change 
>-nient. it has been adopted. By this means the 
-■■ r\ ice examinations has kept'abreast with the 



This plan he began to use five 

ever since, and whenever exper 

or an addition would btf ;ni i'T!] 

preparation of candidal <■• >■■■■■■ 

very latest and best edu>,i; ; i ■ :;m<Is. 

The Institute prepan. -- . ,ii.i;>,ai -. l<ir more than fifty different kinds of civil 
service examinations and pii.pan:s. ihem in the best possible manner. The pro- 
fessors who furnish the instruction are all specialists of distinction in their respective 
departments, and those who teach the technical branches are not only theoretical 
scholars but have been engaged in practical work, both under government and in 
private employment. 

Did the Institute have any imitators? 

Mr. McKinlev said "ye.s';" but the Institute has been in business more years 
than they had m'onths, aiid hundreds of students whom the Institute had prepared 
were now in the government ser\'ice. He referred to five years' dealing with 
business men and bankers of the city, and to all whom he had ever referred as a 
guaranty of reliabilitj\ 

After returning to the manager's office, the reporter was shown a large number 
of educational and religious journals of national reputation endorsing the high 
character of the Institute. He was shown, also, thousands of letters from students 
expressing not only their appreciation of the value of the instructions they had 
received, but also their gratitude for the interest taken in their individual progress ; 
he glanced over quite a number which he pulled from the .stacks, and the tone and 
tenor were the same in all. 

One important point noted was the individual character of the instruction. It is 
one thing to prepare and send out instructions to hundreds of students ; it is quite 
another thing to meet the wants of each individual student by answering his letters 
personally and removing all the special difficulties which arise in his particular case, 
while pursuing a regular course of study. It requires time, experience, labor, skill, 
a sufficient force, and all backed by inea'ns to keep things moving, in order to do it, 
and the reputation and success of the Institute shows that it is possessed of these, 
and has dealt honestly with the public. (The remaining part of the article is de- 
voted to our method of instruction, which is explained fully in our circulars.) 



After investigating our methods, the Inventive Age, in the same issue, has this to say, editorially : 

After a careful investigation of the business methods of The National Correspondence Institute and mode of teaching, the Inventive Age is pleased to announce that we 
;ry way thoroughly reliable. 



are satisfied that this school i 

AS TO OUR RELIABILITY— We have permission to refer to the following banks 
of this city — where we are best known, viz ; National Capital Bank, Second National 
Bank, Capital Trust Company. 



AS TO OUR WORK— We refer to the extracts from Students' letters given iu our 
culars and certified to by well-known and responsible men. 
No one can know the value of work so well as those who have done the work. 



TERlOi 







TER.10E, 

Views ^ 



V-^- opQppjce^ 








TER.10F? 

Views ^ 



; 


^,s.E^^^" ^^''sf'^ 




/ 


or -r^ 





Reading Addresses 



SIZE OF ORIGINAL SHEET, 8 1-2x11 INCHES 



THE FOLLOWING IS GIVEN TO SHOW ONE OF THE MANY 
METHODS WE HAVE ORIQINATED FOR TEACH- 
ING SUBJECTS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE 
EXAMINATIONS BY MAIL. 

CHE cut given herewith illustrates our method of instruction for 
' ' Reading Addresses ' ' — one of the most important parts of the 
examinations for Railway' Mail Clerk and Clerk or Carrier in the 
Post-OfEce Sers'ice. 

Persons who have taken one of these examinations will recognize at 
once the similarity of our cards in the illustration with those used b^' 
the Commission in the regular Civil Service Examination. 

OUR PLAN OF INSTRUCTION 

OUR cards are similar to those used by the Commission. They are divided into 
Sets as shown in the illustration. For each Set there is a corresponding Assist- 
ant's Sheet — similar to sheet held by the examiner in the examination. 
Full and complete instructions accompany the cards and Assistant's Sheets which 
we send our students, so that the work is thoroughly understood and done in the same 
manner as in the examination. 

THE VALUE 

CHE work done on each Set of cards practically represents a Civil Service Exami- 
nation on that subject. The work on six or eight sets would give as much 



SET C. 

ASSISTANT'S SHEET. 



practice as that many examinations, which would require six or eight years to 
take, as only one examination of the same kind can be taken in one year. 

The cards in a Set are each written by a different person, selected with a view to 
securing the greatest variety of handwritings. Another very important feature is 
the matter (names and addresses) written on the cards. This has been selected with 
great care, and the Sets, taken together, cover all styles of names, addresses, 
abbreviations of States, counties, titles, etc., all of which must be read in full — and, 
in fact, almost every kind of a name and address that it is possible to write. 

This method of instruction was ORIGOTATED by the National 
Correspondence Institute, and has been prepared at the expense of much 
time^ labor, and money. The cards are copyrighted* Our students get the 
benefit of all this FREE OF COST. 




our method 



SPECIMEN PAGES 




WE are the originators of the 
appUcation of correspondence 
teaching to the preparation of 
applicants for Civil Service exainina- 
tions. We have had five years' experi- 
ence of this work, and our plan has 
been not only to keep pace with the 
Civil Service Commission in its fre- 
quent changes of scope and character 
of examinations, but also to improve 
our methods of instruction as our ex- 
perience showed us where any change 
could be made advantageously. To 
give you an example of our method 
you will see the illustration herewith, 
which is greatly reduced, of sample 
pages from our special pamphlet for 
applicants for the Internal Revenue 
Examinations. In the Summer of 
1896 the Civil Service Commission ver}- 
properly added the subjects of 
"Special Arithmetic and Elementary- 
Physics pertaining to Gauging ' ' to the 
examinations for the Internal Revenue 
Service. In accordance with our 
regular procedure in preparing our 
students for examinations, we provide 
them with whatever literature they 
may need, either by naming publica- 
tions which will answer their purjiose, 
or, when there is nothing adequate in 
print, b}' originating (or collating ) the 
matter ourselves. In this case, there 

was nothing in print which covered the added subjects of the examination in such a compass as to be available for applicants for this examination. We 
therefore called on our Department of Science to make certain investigations and to prepare a complete and comprehensive explanation of these subjects, 
for which our Department of Drafting furnished original illustrations. The result was the pamphlet from which the above pages were taken and which 
has been printed and copyrighted, and cannot be had elsewhere. This pamphlet includes the special arithmetic needed in this examination, as well as 
the elementary physics required. The value of this pamphlet is attested by numbers of our students who tell us that it furnishedy//^/ the nmtier needed 
for the examination, and gave in a few' pages what they w'ere not able to find in hundreds of pages of the leading text books I see extracts from students' 
letters I. We desire to impress the fact that this is not the only instance of our preparing matter exactly adapted to the needs of our students, but is 
given only to illustrate so far our regular procedure. " EVERYTHING THE BEST " is our motto. 



OF OUR RLEMENTARY PHYSICS PERTAINING TO GAUGING AND SPECIAL ARITHMETIC 



Extract from a letter ofW. Clytourn, Jr., of Camden, S. C, Sept. 22, 1897, 



Tlie Board, consisting of Deputy Collector Little and a Mr. Porcher, came in and called for our cards and any books, etc. , we might 
have relating to the examination. I handed in mv card and the little pamphlet you sent me on Gauging. My name and address 
was on its back. In order to call Mr. Porcher's attention to the pamphlet I asked him to remind me to get it before I left. Later, 
while filling out my declaration sheet I paw him reading through it. He punched the collector and they both read and smiled over 
at me. When I handed in my declaration sheet Mr- Porcher wanted to know where I had the good luck to get such a good book. 
I showed him your address which he took down. The Collector said: "Mr. Clyburu, it is the best of its kind I 
liave ever seen. Hold on to it for yon will need it in the service." 



THE CORRESPONDENCE IN FULL. 



<i) 



National Cokeespondence lNi5TiTUTE, 
Department of Civil Service Examinations, 

Washington, D. C, December 9, 1897. 

Dear Sir: — We received a letter from you containing a report of the ex- 

iimination some time ago, in which you gave what we considered and what 

we denominated a "special compliment." We are unable to quote this 

-extract from your letter in its most effective form without using the names 

you have used. I therefore write to aslc permission to print this extract and 

give your name and address in connection with the extract from your letter. 

Enclosing a stamped envelope, we beg to be favored with an early reply. 

Very truly vours, 

NATIONAL COERESPONDENCE INSTITUTE, 

,T. W. McKinlev, Manager. 
Mr. W. Clvburn, Jr., Camden, S. C. 



<3) 

Camden, S. C, December 11, 1897. 
J. W. McKiNLEY, Esq., 

Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir: I have your favor of tlie 9tli inst. In reply will say T clieev- 
fuUy give my consent for you to use my name and address, and if \ mi arc 
<f07i/irfeni that the gentlemen, whose names I used, will not ol-jn t \mii tii:i> 
publish the extract. I met these gentlemen for the first time on iln-ia) mT 
the. examination. They were very kind and courteous to me and L do not 
wish to forfeit their good will. 

It is a pleasure to me to speak up for your Institute and I trust ^^■hat I have 
fiaid will be of service to you. 
With my kindest regards, I am, 

Yours sincerely, 

W. CLYBURN, Jr. 
3?. S. 1 will be pleased to have a copy of the extract you wish to publish. 



(3) National Coekespondence Institute, 

Department of CrviL Service Examinations, 

Washington, D. C, Dec. 16, 1897. 

Dear Sir ;— We are in receipt of yours of the 11th instant, in which you 
say that you would cheerfully give your consent to our using your name and 
address and that we may publish the extract provided the gentlemen whose 
names are given do not object. We do not see that there is anything for 
them to object to, and enclose herewith a copy of wliat we wish to print. 
We want to use this to show that men who are posted in such matters real- 
ize that this work on Elementary Physics Pertaining to Gauging is of great 
value. We have a nmnber of 'letters from students, saying tliat in these 
few pages they received more valuable instruction than in hundreds of 
pages in other books — in fact, much of it that was of value they were un- 
able to find in any book. Kindly let me know about this at once. 

Very truly yours, NATIONAL COERESPONDENCE INSTITUTE, 

J. W. McKiNLEY, Manager. 

Mr. W, Clyburn, Jr., Camden, S. C. 



(4) Camden, S. C, Dec. 17, 1897. 

J. W. McKiNLEY, Esq., Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir :— I have your last favor with copy of extract as requested. I 
do not see anything for the gentlemen whose names I used, to object to, so 
you may publish it. Sincerely yours, W. CLYBURN, Jr. 



(6) National Correspondence Institute, 

Department of Civil Service Examinations, 

Washington, D. C, Dec. 20, 1897. 
Dear Sir :— We are in receipt of yovtrs of the 17th inst., giving us per- 
mission to publish the extract from your former letter, giving your name, 
etc., and we thank you for vour kindness. 
Very truly yours, NATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE INSTITUTE, 

J. W. McKiNLEY, Manager. 
Mr. W. Clyburn, Jr., Camden, S. C. 



If so, you must take the examination, 
Do You j^jj^j ,^Q effort sliould be spared to be prepared 
Want in the most thorough manner — equipped 

a witli all the instruction you can possibly get 

Position ? which would tend to place you nearer 
the head of the list, as it may be the oppor- 
tunity of a lifetime. There is no use in taking the examination 
if you can get only an average standing. Many persons of ftiir tal- 
ent have been upon the eligible list for y ears, having frequently 
" passed " the examination, but have never been appointed, 
nor at all near appointment — the head of the list. Of those who 
will be selected from the first examinations in the States this 
year a very large percentage will be those who have taken our 
course, and we are safe in assuming that the remainder will be 
those who have taken several examinations before, and 
thereby gained in part the information which we give to our 
students. 

AVe prepare persons for more than tifty 

Wliat e.xaminations. When one enrolls with us 

Examination we submit to him a list of positions for 

to Select. which examinations are held, giving the 

salaries, subjects of examination and chances 

of appointment in each. This information has been gathered 

from many sources at a cost of much time, labor and personal 

investigation. There is nothing else like it in print. (It has been 

copyrighted by us.) We also send our Information Blank, 

which when filled out gives us the necessary data from which 

we can determine whether his selection has been the best. 

Without all this information it is impossible for us to advise any 

one about the examination to take. Much depends on age, size, 

educational qualifications, previous occupation, geographical 

location, etc., and as these are scarcely ever the same with any 

two individuals, we cannot give any general rules for selecting 

an examination. We make each case special. 



Some of the most difficult are 



Some are easy, and some are very difficult. 

Are the Scarcely any two are in any way alike. 

Examinations Some of the easiest are for positions paying 

Easy ? good salaries and there is a good chance for 

appointment. 

for positions paying only 

average salaries, and where 

there is practically no 

chance for appointment. 

All these things must be 

taken into consideration. 

One of the most im- 
portant parts of our 
work is assisting those en- 
rolled to make wise selections 
as to the examination. We 
keep posted, and those en- 
rolled with us get the benefit 
of our experience and knowl- 
edge in this special line. 




The 



We beg to call attention to the following, 
issued by the Civil Service Commission : 
Commission "The Commission can not undertake to 
Can Not, answer inquiries as to vacancies in the service. 
But We Can. *^"''*'*i salaries, prospects of appointment or 
promotion, or as to the course of preparation 
applicants should follow." All these thing's are an- 
swered hy lis for those enrolled in the National 
Correspondence Institute. 

They coidd do it, of course, but they uill not, as it would 
take ten times the force of clerks they now have. It would 
be unfair for the Commission to advise one and not all on any 



of these points. Foi- that reason the only information the 
Commission gives is printed and given to all alike. We have 
every facility that they themselves have for ohtaining this 
information, and we can and do give this information to all 
enrolled vpith us. What the Commission " can not under- 
take" to tell you is just what is tlie most important 
to knoTV. 

We do not claim "special facilities for 
What We information which can not be procured direct 
Do Not from the Commission," and the public is 

Claim. cautioned to beware of persons and institu- 

tions making such claims. In assisting our 
students to get appointments we do nothing that is not honor- 
able. The value of our work is not " information " but instruc- 
tion. We have never asked for, nor would we accept, any 
information that did not come direct from aud with the 
consent of the Commission. Persons claiming- to 
get information tliat they should not have are 
frauds. 



We are the originators of Correspondence 
Beware Instruction as applied to Civil Service Ex- 

of aminations. 

Frauds. ^^ hard work, honest methods, a novel, 

interesting and successful plan of instruc- 
tion, we have been able to assist in placing our students in all 
branches of the Government service. We, therefore, with 
malice toward none of our younger rivals and imitators, advise 
the public to investigate thoroughly and be well satisfied before 
giving patronage to those whose claims " stamp them as fraud- 
ulent." Write to our bank references. Read what our 
members say. We make no "claims" — the results 
speak, and " claims " are not necessary. 



These letters tell the story. Can we bene- 

What Our fit you? It stands to reason that we can 

Students Say. benefit you if we have been of benefit to 

others. It is easy to make " claims " for 

anything, but to show the proof is quite a different matter. 

Judge of our w^ork by the results. 

Our students embrace members of all trades and professions — 
college presidents, county school superintendents, clergymen, 
bank cashiers, clerks, mechanics, farmers, etc. 

Testimonials are easy to get, but there are 
About different kinds. A testimonial from an irre- 

Testimonials. sponsible party is worse than none, for it 
shows that good testimonials cannot be 
had. Testimonials are sometimes given in exchange for some 
consideration. We heard of a " school " not a thousand miles 
from here that proposed to get persons to testify to the excel- 
lence of the instruction who had never received any instruction. 
The names and addresses would be given as " an evidence of 
good faith." Persons who would write to the parties would 
never receive an answer or the parties would be consistent by 
re-asserting that which was untrue in the first instance. How 
then are persons at a distance (which always happens to be the 
case) to know whether " testimonials " are of value ? 

We give no " testimonials," as our students tell the 
story, and we give the only complete and satisfactory assurance 
that can be given that our instruction is what we claim for it. 
Our method of doing this is original. You never saw it given 
as we give it, before we commenced it. 

Our reasons for giving extracts from the 

Why We letters of students are briefly as follows : 

Give Extracts ■'■• We can give a great many more in the 

same space. 

trom 2. The vanity of the student is not ap- 

Letters. pealed to. Sometimes there are persons 

who want to see their " names in print," 

and are glad to write a letter full of flattery to have it published. 



Sensible people who see it imasrine that what is said in the 
letter is really true. 

3. Our extracts are honest exiji-essionx taken from letters in the 
usual course of our correspondence and instruction. The 
writers of tbem have no idea of their ever appearing in print. 

4. The letters are all confidential and concerning their studies, 
and not written with any idea of their being published. 

5. The extracts are all examined, compared with the letters 
from which they are taken, and these facts are certified to by 
prominent, well-known and responsible men. 

6. Persons who have any doubt as to their genuineness can 
write to their Representative in Congress or to any one in this 
city and have an inquiry made as to the standing of the men 
who have certified to the extracts or to call on us and make the 
examination for themselves. The letters are all numbered, on 
file, and can be produced on a moment's notice. We will 
gladly grant the opportunity to any one. 

7. By investigating in this way one letter will be sufficient. 
If we gave the names and addresses of the writers of 150 " tes- 
timonials" it would necessitate your writing 150 letters to 
ascertain the genuineness of them. 



We will give $100 to any one who can 
Our $loo prove that we have ever requested a " testi- 
Offer. monial " from one of our students, have 

ever asked any one of them to tell us how 
they were pleased with our work, or have ever asked any other 
question, the answer to which we could quote as an extract 
complimentary to our work or institution. As all our work is 
by correspondence, it will be an easy matter to produce such a 
letter, if one exists. The production of the letter will be con- 
sidered as satisfactory proof. 

We Have Permission of the 



Extracts from Students' Letters. 



The extracts on this and the following pages have been se- 
lected from hundreds of others in order to give the greatest 
variety of expressions, and arranged as nearly as possible in 
groups under appropriate headings. The letters from which 
they have been taken are on a variety of subjects. Some are 
about their instructions, others about the examination the 
writers have taken, others about their appointuients, etc., etc. 

Oiu- work is confidential, and we assure all whom we enroll 
that their names will not be published at any time without 
special permission. 

See CerUflcnte of Hon. Alphonso Hart, Par/eSl, 
to the f/ettithietiess of the following : 

Volunteer to Reconinieurt Us. 

1290. The price of your enrollment fee is very small compared with the 
instructions I received. You may use ray name and refer to me. Thank- 
ing you very much for your attention in my behalf, * * * 

828. It will be a pleasure to I'l, in i rr. ii ninnnd yrmr Institute to any of my 
friends or acquaintances seek ii i- 'i n- :ii ( :wv(rnment service. 

990. I can recommend you i- i 1. .1, ml ii is just as I saw in one of 
your testimonials— " If I never j. i i i«i-)i;Mii, | will never regret the paltry 
sum and the time spent." 

760. I will heartily recommend your institution to anybody who asks me 
about it. If il hail not been for your instructions my grade would have 
been below UU. (His grade was 89.53, and he was appointed in 30 days.) 

522. I will say, I am pleased with your course of i structions and think 
you very ttiorough and painstaking in your work. I am glad to acknowledge 
much benefit from my study with you and can heartily recommend your 
course to any one des'iring special instruction along this line. 

726. Plea,se send circulars and information to the following addresses: * « * 
I have told them of your institution and recommended you as I think 
you deserve. 1 am under great obligations to you for your instructions 
to me. 

91. I have been much pleased with the work of the Institute, and 
benefited intellectually as well, and do not regret my outlay. Further, 
I assure you it will be my pleasure to advance the interests of your Institute 
by hearty recommendation should the opportunity of so doing ever occur, aa 
I feel that the thorough course of instruction furnished, merits the same ; 
and the fulfillment of every promise made by you assures me that any one 
having dealings with you would be i»'ith gentlemen whose line of conduct 
is governed by strictly honorable principles. 

Banks we give as References. 



20 



"Volniiteer to Recommend Us—Continued. 

363. I want to continue to take your instructions, and if necessary I 
could heartily recommend them to the public as being on the "right 
track," as nearly every question given me was something bordering on 
some question you had drilled me on before. 

171. The questions and sums were about the same I have been doing for 
the Institute, and X then realized what a great help your teaching was to 
me. I shall not fail to recommend it to any person who is desirous ot taking 
an examination. 

S19. I can safely estimate your instructions helped me 20 per cent, and I 
am trying to induce my friends to take the course. 

963. Will do all I can in securing you members as I feel sure I would 
never have passed the examination had it not been for your instructions. 

1075. Permit me to add that I am very well pleased with your system and 
if ever a favorable opportunity presents itself, I shall consider it a pleasure 
and a duty to recommend you. 

765. I am willing at any time in the future whether I get a position or 
not to send personal recommendation of your Institute to anyone, if you 
should wish it. 

2S9. I am pleased with the grade made in examination, which is due to 
your excellent course of instructions, and I will be pleased to recommend 
the National Correspondence Institute to any person who desires to take an 
examination. 

71. I am more than satisfied with your course, and if I can ever induce 
any one to take it I will surely send them to you. 

148. If you so wish you may refer any one to me to endorse your mode of 
instruction, as I know it to be the very thing for any one intending to take 
the Civil Service examination. 

( Permission has been secured to give the names avd addresses of the writers of 
any of the preceding to any one who may request it. Many of the writers of the 
above extracts have already been appointed to the Govei-nment Service.) 



Railway Mail and Post Office Examinations. 

786. Thanks to your drill in U. S. geography, I was about perfect in that 
subject. Your cards for practice on reading addresses proved of inestima- 
ble value to me in the examination. 

1222. I think your questions in the geography are not to be excelled, 

11S8. I excelled all others in the reading addresses, which was verv grati- 
fying to me, I can assure you, and was the fruit of your drills in that line. 



462. (From report of the examination.) * * * My grade in transporta- 
tion is higher than I expected, M'hich is due to your Valuable instructions. 

557. Tour work on the different subjects has been a great benefit to me, 
especially geography and reading addresses, and I hereby take this oppor- 
tunity of thanking you for the same. 

448. The questions in geography and arithmetic were exactly in line with 
the instructions you have been giving me. 

35. I was greatly benefited by the aid I received from you and am sure I 
did better work than I otherwise would have done. The " Tests " in arith- 
metic were similar to the ones you had me do. 

1006. Practice in handling the cards for the reading addresses is almost as 
good as practice in reading. 

899. I feel without your help I would not have been in the fight at all. 
Your R. B. questions were just what I needed. 

1278. I wish to state that I have received more than my money's worth 
from you in reading addresses alone. 



Postal Service — Applicants, Read This. 

311. The work on Geo§:raphy and Local Delivery is alone worth the Enroll- 
ment Fee. You are at liberty to refer any applicant in New York or vicinity 
to me. (Local Delivery questions are no longer required in the examina- 
tion.) 



" Wisli I Had Enrolled Sooner." 

1276. I am sorry that I did not enroll much earlier than I did, for I would 
have been better posted. I think the instruction is a great help. 

1285. I only wish I had enrolled sooner. 

1257. I am quite sure your instructions increased my general average, 
whatever it may be, at least 20 per cent, and I only regret that I did not 
know of your Institute sooner. 



102. I can conscientiously say that I have appreciated your work very 
much, and have only one regret, and that is that I did not become ac- 
quainted with you sooner. 



'* Just What I Expected." 

( See Illustration, " At the Examination.'* ) 

379. I found the work most identical with that which I had been doing 
for you. 

672. Your course of instruction, without doubt, increased my grade from 
15 to 20 per cent. I could not help but note the similarity of your work and 
that of the actual examination. Everything we were required to do seemed 
familiar to me. 

421. I now fully realize the importance of your system of careful instruc- 
tion for these examinations and can see the disadvantages under which one 
would labor who had not received the drilling similar to that which is given 
by your institution and learned from experience. 



As to Our Reliability — See Our Bank Keferences on Page 5. 



" Just What I Expected." — Continued. 

713. The examination was easy, though it would have been hard without 
your course of study. 

58. The directions for doing the work were easily followed after your in- 
structions. I think my grade will be at least 8 per cent, higher than it would 
have been without your instruction. 

9. I found everything just as you represented it to be, and tliank you for 
your assistance. 

93. Since the examinations I have had more contidence in your instructions 
than ever. At the examination I could see how all of your instructions were 
beneficial to me. 

76. I found in examination that what help you had given was invaluable. 

2G6. Thanks to your instructions. I found myself so well prepared for my 
examination this morning, that I finished the work in 3)^ hours. 

393. I found the examination to be just what you gave me in training. 

153. The work you gave me I found to be similar to that I had in exami- 
nation, and I must say you helped me at least 20 per cent, in the examina- 
tion. 

1068. The problems were about the same as I have been having from you 
excepting that they were not so difiicult. 



JU5TWHAT 




Opinions — Variety of Expressions. 

836. I am delighted witli yonr plan of work. It is what I have wanted for 
a long time — to write on method and have it criticized. 

957. I am highly pleased with the instructions I have received. It would 
be folly for any one to attempt to succeed in a Civil Service Examination 
without your assistance. 

972. I would have been left had it nut been for your help. That I know. 
I assure you I appreciate your help very much. 

913. The work that we had to do was all about the same as you gave us 
all along, and I am certainly indebted to you for what success I may attain. 
I would not have been anywhere near successful without your help. I am 
sure that no one need be afraid to take the examination before the Commis- 
sion after having taken one of your regular courses of study. 



994. 1 have nod. nil. I l.u 
amount of 15 per c. I.I ..n 
gives a person a.^^.■I.. .;.! i. 
having to read all ih.' in.- 
Tlie questions and proble 



. .ns have benefited me to the 
;\ taking your instructions it 
. . ^ to do, and saves time by not 
ill sheet by the examiners. 
■ line of your instructions. 



Had uj iNjTR 



y05. I am very much obliged to you for the interest you take in me. The 
instructions I have received from you I know have been a great help to me 
in my examination. I found them to be exactly as you told me 

935. Your lessons were of great assistance to me, as they gave me more con- 
fidcnce in myself. 

109. Your work has been a wonderful help to me, and without it I am sure 
1 would have made a very poor showing. 

458. I will say that I am more than satisfied with the work and instruction 
I have received from you. You could not do any more. 

G38. The lessons that I have had from Washington were ample (if I had 
only given them the time and work that I ought) to have landed me 
very near the century mark. 

158. I am delighted with your system and instructions. Do not see why a 
person should fail if the instructions are followed and a little time given the 
work. 

295. You have done all you agreed to do and more. 

938. The method employed by you is excellent. Was talking with a 
Brother S. of V. last night and he said that he thought that the work done 
by you was the best to be had, and possibly he may take it up. 

876. I do not think that my grade will be as good as it ought to be consid- 
ering all help and instructions which were received from you. 

12,50. In all my work I could see the good the Institute course had done 
me, and I feel that you have done exactly as you agreed to when I started. 
Thanking you for the great assistance I received by your method, * * * 

1180. 1 found your instructions very helpful indeed and I am sure that my 
general average will be fully 10 per cent, more than it would have been with- 
out your assistance. 



■^ 92. Your system was just the thing. 

AS TO OUR WORK— Read What Our Students Say Voluntarily. 



Opinions — Variety of Exx>ressions.— Continued. 

1259. I will state to you frankly that if I had two months more of your in- 
structions, I would have made 95 per cent. sure. 






52. Your work helped me a great deal. I know it will make a difference 
of several per cent, in my marks. 

120. I think I did well on all the subjects ; thanks to the hints I have re- 
ceived fi-om you. 

: Institute, and never will regret my en- 

182. I am satisfied I should not have had an average over 65 per cent, had 
I not received your instructions. (Grade in examination was 88.) 



Their Appreciation of Us. 

855. I have felt through the entire course a sort of personal interest on 
your part, which I appreciate. 

904, * * * With best wishes for success of Institute and with thanks 
for your past kindness and attention. * * * 

859. I take this opportunity of thanking you for your service in assisting 
me so faithfully. 

764. I would feel like grasping you by the hand and pouring out my grati- 
tude to you for your painstaking care in my behalf. Would like to be able 
to meet you personally as I know I could make you feel my gratitude in a 

greater degree than with cold pen and paper, but allow me to express my 
eartfelt thanks for your assistance. 



928. I thank you very much for the interest you have taken in my success. 
I know from talking with others that your instructions helped me very 
much. 

; in preparing 



23. You did all in the Autumn course that I could ask, and really more 
than I expected, as I had no idea, or very little at most, of the method you 
would pursue. Allow me to thank you for the personal interest you have 
taken in me. 

40. The la-st letter to my brother was read with much interest by us both. 
I intended in my last letter, speaking of the examination, to express appre- 
ciation of the interest of the Institute in our behalf, but as I did not will do 
so now. I feel sure that the Institute has our best interest in view. 



March 6, 1896. 

I have oxaraiaad the original letters from Tihicii tlie aboT© 
extracts are t aJ^en and Isjiovi then to be geniiiiLe. Zhere are many 
other letters coTnraending the National Correspondenco Institute. . 

I have kaoira LIr. HcKinley, the Manager of the Institute, 
for manr years. He is an honorable and upright gaatleman and pos- 
sesses superior qualifications for the -work in iSiich he Is engaged. 
His efforts have been, justly attended Trith, success. . ..The Institute, 
under his charge, cannot fail to be of very great value to those 
■who desire to obtain positions in the classified service of the 
GoTomment. 

Eespect fully. 



'Z^ry^c-i^-^ 



We Make No Claims, As 



TO THE PUBI^IC, 

We take great pride in i^ublishing the above certificate from 
such a distinguished man as the Honorable Alphonso Hart. 
Aside from being an ex-Lieutenant-Governor of Ohio and an 
ex-Member of Congress, Mr. Hart's services as late Solicitor of 
Internal Revenue for the United States brought him in close 
contact with the Government service in all its branches and 
gave him a personal knowledge of the requirements of clerks 
and ofiicials in all capacities. His words should, therefore, 
have great weight with all who contemplate taking a Civil 
Service examination. 
We Have Results to Show. 



32 



MORE EXTRACTS. 

Certitied to by tlie Cashier of tlie National Cai>ital 
Bank, Washington, D. C. 



Early Appointments. 

G54. The appointment was received just two weeks after I received notice 
of my standing. 

342. Your course has been of great benefit to mc. * * * i received my 
apiwlntment on the 19th instant. (Notified July 1, his name was on the 
register. Notified of appointment on the 18th.) 

Patent Office. 

583. I am glad to inform you that I have received an appointment as copy- 
ist in the Patent Office of the Interior Department. * * * I was very 
much surprised to receive an appointment so soon after I received the result 
of the examination, being only a little over two weeks. 

743. * * * I think if it had not been for your instructions I received 
last Fall, my general average would have been below 70. (Stood at the 
head of the list.) 

Clerk, Customs Sex^ice. 

746. * * * It is a pleasure to announce my appointment to a clerkship 
in the Customs Service. I give your instructions a large share of the credit 
for my success in passing so quickly. 

816. * + * I desire again to extend my thanks for the information that 
I derived through your instructions. I fully realize that I would not have 
done nearly so well without it. 

(Later letter:) I received notice this morning of my api)ointment to the 
Railway Mail Service. This is certainly gratifying, and came much sooner 
than I anticipated— only 2S days since I was notified of my standing. 
Wishing you much success. 

926. I have been appointed. I owe my success entirely to your Institute, 
as I am satisfied that I would have done nothing without your Instruction. 
I will take great pleasure in recommending you to any one. 

Gives us the Credit. 

74. I thank you very much for the instructions and advice given me during 
my work, and if I fail to pass at a grade sufficiently high to secure a position, 
I will continue the work and make it sure the next time. Later letter : I am 
pleased to be able to say that I was appointed on the 13th instant. I am more 
'han pleased, as I know I owe my appointment to you (Notified of his 
grade January 24th, notified of his appointment March 13th.) 

329. A raise of 10 at least in this grade is due to your most efficient prepa- 
ration. (That is what he said in reporting the examination.) 

(Later letter :) I received my appointment July 1, 27 days after my name 
was entered on the register. * * * i should be very ungrateful to neglect 
an opportunity to thank you again for the very valuable aid which I found 
in your instructions. 



Early Appointments.— Continued. 

Another Record. 

1704 East CJiaee Street, 



l£r. J. ff.' McKlnley* Uanacer, 

ffashinctOQ/ D. C, 

Dear Sir: 

I rscolved my average on the find tnst. at 5,30 P> 
tKo 3rd. Inst, at 4,30 P. H. was at work as clerk In tho Balt3. Poat 
Office, having been appointed and STrom In at 10.30 A. U. on the 3rd. 
tnat, Bovonteen hoiars after being notified of ray standing, Uy general 
average ia 91.75 which I was only able to recoivB after the thoroiigh 
Ijiatnctlons and training I had at your hands. 

liy appolntnent was the greatest surprise in ray life ooming bo aeon 
raj^o notice. I am positive that had I not taken yoiip 
A still be out in the cold, as your instructions Increased 

least twenty per cont, 
aferre'J your 3'";>iool and its thorough course of inatruot- 
ion to a good raany frionds who will take the next examination and I 
"knov they will enroll at once when they hear of ny good fortune and 
the part you playel in it. It is inpossible Cor ne to express ray 
gratitude to you and I will never be able ■ 
help. You nay at any tirae refor any and all people 
statenionts, to r.e and I will do all in ray 
Thanking you again and again., I renain^ 




after the i 



erage 



you enough for youT' 

who doubt your 
dispel their doubts. 



Most respectfully. 



I think my ^ipointnent 



> f the quiokost 



(Special permission was obtained from Mr. Hildebrand to 
reproduce his entire letter over his signature.) 

711. My success I attribute mainly to your careful and conscientious 
preparation. 

Tio. I think your work gave me confidence in myself to do the work and 
ai'le<l iiiL* materially in my preparation. 

TVi. 1 Ii;iv.' ilii- (lay n-cuiv(.''l an i^i.pointment as substitute letter carrier 
in till- riiy itciiiks tn [\iv instructions rec-ivt-ii lYom you. 

7>_'- I ;iiii MMv iliaiiki'ul for tlit- iii>irtK-li"!i.- i\-(_-eived from you and know 
tluii wiilinut thrill I w<iulil nut have rcix-ivi.'.! the appointmeiit. 

820. I owe most of my success to the National Correspondence Institute of 
Washington, D. C, and ever wishing you much success with much gratitude, 
I remain, * * * 

837. I feel very grateful to you for the kindness in my behalf. I would 
have failed to pass had it not been for the instruction that I received from you. 



AVe Were the Pioneers— the Oriainators. 



Early Appointnients.— Continued. 

Pension Office. 

134. I received to-day an appointment as Pension Clerk. * * * I feel I 
owe this to you. * * * 

454. I received notice of average on December 11, and notice of appoint- 
ment January 10 — only 30 days afterward. Again I congratulate on the 
thoroughness of your work. From another letter : * * ^- If it had not 
been for your instructions my grade would have been below 60. 

(Appointed in less than 30 days 

Day Inspector, Customs Service. 

879. * * * I led the class in the last examination for day inspector, and 
have been appointed already. * * * 

609. Everyone remarks on my excellent standing and considers me very 
lucky in securing a place so soon. I think my success due, almost entirely 
due, "to following your instiuctions to the letter. * * * i have nothing 
but kindness to say of your school. 

70S. I received notice of my standing the 1st of January, and an appoint- 
ment the 21st of January. If I had not taken the course with you I never 
could have made a grade sufficient to secure an appointment. You are at 
liberty to refer to me at any time. 

725. My appointment came months before I expected anything, three 
weeks after hearing what my grade was. Thanking you again for the in- 
terest shown in my preparation, which I cannot commend too highly. 

Kailway Mail Service. 

856. I am pleased to state that I have received an appointment in the R. 
M. S. Please state what commission is due for the valuable assistance you 
gave me, and I will remit as per agreement. 

987. I have received appointment as Jtailway Mail Clerk. I attribute 
my success to your instructions and wish to express my sincere thanks for 
the interest you have taken in me. 

36. I am confident that my grades will be much better than they would 
have been without your instructions. Should I fail to get an appointment 
the fault would be entirely with me. (Waited only six weeks for his ap- 
pointment.) 

Letter Carrier. 

915. I received my appointment as letter carrier, Saturday, will report in 
the morning, thanks to your coaching. 

952. I respectfully notify you of my appointment as letter carrier. You 
will oblige me by sending your bill against me, which I shall take pleasure 
to promptly pay in the stipulated time. 

1005. I received my appointment as regular carrier the 1st of September, 
I shall always feel grateful to you for the help you gave me before the ex- 
amination. I consider what I have paid you for tuition the best investment 
I ever made. 

1053. I beg to state that never before in my life have I paid a debt more 
cheerfully than in this instance. I shall take pains in recommending your 
system to all my friends. 



Early Appointnients. — Continued. 

Here is a Contrast. — Niglit Inspectoi*, Customs Service. 

296. I would also state that I am fully convinced had it not been for the 
course of instructions I took from you, I could not have been successful, for 
that not only instructed but gave me confidence in myself. (The writer of 
the above on a previous examination of the same kind made a failure, his 
grade being only 55. After taking our course he made 89, and was appointed 
Night Inspector in the New York custom-house within three weeks from 
the time his name was entered on the Register of Eligibles.) 

872. My average of 90.26 I thought was very good and I know I could 
never have gotten it had it not been for your instructions. Please accept 
my thanks for same. (Stood at the head of list from his State and was 
appointed within six weeks.) 

922. I have had the satisfaction of receiving most gratifying results which 
without your kind advice, patience and most thorough instructions, I never 
could have obtained. I have recently persuaded two of my friends to en- 
roll with you and enter next fall examination. (Stood at the head of the 
New York list of eligibles and was appointed within a few weeks.) 

Pleasant Surprises. 

196. If I go tt rough all right I owe my success to the National Correspond- 
ence Institute, and if I fail to get a position I am well repaid for the money I 
have spent, for I have learned lots that will be of use tome. If there is any- 
thing I can do for you at any time I shall be glad to do it, for I have received 
valuable help and shall remember it. 

(He wrote the above after taking the examination. The following was 
notifying us that he had received his appointment :) * *• * The appoint- 
ment came so soon after the examination — about tvvo mouths before I 
expected anything. 

19. (Received February 7, 1895 :) * * * It gives me great pleasure to in- 
form you that I have just been appointed. Did not expect anything beiore 
next September or October. 

One of the Highest Grades Ever Made in an iExauaination. 

353. I really feel that any success I may have had in the examination is 
attributable to your aid. Without your lead I could not possibly have fol- 
lowed the proper course. While I prefer not to have my name appear pub- 
licly in connection with a recommendation, I will gladly reply at any time 
to any one whom you might wish to refer to me, and will not hesitate to per- 
sonally recommend you to any whom I chance to meet who contemplate 
the Government service. Any intelligent person who will study as directed 
by you can not fail to stand high. (The writer of the above made a general, 
average of 97.45 in the last R. M. S. examination. He headed the list from 
his State and was appointed within a few weeks.) 

Best Investment Ever 3Iade. 

628. Am in receipt of your letter of the 13th instant and in reply would 
most respectfully state that I received notification of appointment upon the 
14th instant, and received final appointment to-day, making in all 15 days 
from the date which the averages of the various competitors were made 
known. Realizing now the value of your coui-se of instructions, I can con- 
sider the small sum of SIO the best Investment which I ever made. * * * 
Should I ever be able to increase your list of students, I shall not fail to do so, 



Our $100 Offer on Page 38 Will Interest You. 



34 



Early Appointments.— Continued. 

Can Give His Name. 

1070. I know I could not have done so well without the assistance I re- 
ceived from vou, and feel well paid for amount it cost me and the work 1 
did to prefiare for it. You are at liberty to use my name as reference at any 
time and will gladly reply to any personal inquiries made. 

206. I received appointment 45 days after my name was placed on the list, 
which I owe to your excellent system of study. 

225. Was appointed three weeks after receiving my marks ; have been at 
work most of the time since. 

249. I have been selected for appointment. I did not expect it so soon and 
must say that I know not how to express my thanks to you. 

Surprised to Get an Appointment so Soon. 

302. I was somewhat surprised to get an appointment so soon. I give all 
the credit to the National Correspondence Institute for without your help I 
know I would have failed in the examination. 

315. I took the examination and passed at a very high grade, being second 
on the list of eligibles from my State. I received my appointment a few 
weeks after being notified of my grade. 

430. Having been appointed Letter Carrier and knowing that I could never 
have attained the standing I did without your aid, I desire to express my 
gratitude. I thank you a hundred times, and any one you wish to refer to 
me I will cheerfully correspond with. 

449. 1 received a notice from the Civil Service Commission stating that the 
names of no persons were on the register of the same State and examination 
with myself with higher standing, that I was the first to be certified for ap- 
pointment. On the 18th of February, 1896, was notified of my appointment 
as substitute clerk. 

572. I feel that without your careful course of instruction I would have 
stood mucli lower than I did and jirobably would not have secured a position 
atall, wliilc a*^ il Has il liimc iriiiaikaMv si ion, only a month after I was put 
upon lib' rlijiMi' li-i If >mu -IhHilr] ,.\ri want a testimonial in regard to 
your \\"i\. m I III- -laic I -hail I" iiiM-i hap] IV to write a personal letter at 
your ilnviai. Ill iliiiii'jli I sli.iiild |.ivirrihai ii'iy name should not appear in 
public. Wishing ydurcviTV success, • * * 

A College Education Not Sufficient. 

210. Although I have had the tieneflt of a college education, yet I am sure 
that my grade would have been little above the passing point if it had not 
been for your valuable trainiug. 

Limited List. 

WTiat Two Enrolled on the Limited Plan Have to Say of Some In- 
formation and Adrice We Gave Tliem— Had Taken tlie Exam- 
ination before Enrolling. (See Application Blank.) 

560. I am much pleased with this report, in fact I regard this as worth con- 
siderable as valuable information in these examinations. I certainly am 
glad I enrolled with you. 

676. Received my appointment to the R. M. S. to-day, thanks to your infor- 
mation; 1 was expecting something of the kind. 



A Group Appointed to the Railway Mail Service. 

They Represent tlie Following States : N. T., l"a., Oliio, Mich., 
Cal., A^a, and Ga. 

577. The examination was easy, and I know that the [instructions I re- 
ceived from you made it so. 

151. My st'iTi'liii'r iva.: iinrii'iiiitrfHy raised 10 per cent, by receiving your 

thorougti I'll- .iTiN I . .M. :in'l i misidering the small sum required for 

becomiiij i ■ iiinii . il was the best investment I ever 

made, l-a.i,, i,. i ;. .Minnunding your plan of instruction to 

any one ctaiuuniUiiiu,^ LaI..i.L; an u.^amiuation. 

101. You deserve the credit since vour instructions were ju£t the thing to 
" get a fellow there." Without it I )iad better stayed at home. 

322. I received my appointment on November IB, for railway mail clerk. 
Many thanks for your help as it increased iii> iieicciitage a great deal. 

178. I am very much pleased with the I'lan ui' in-tmction pursued by the 
National Correspondence Institute. I \\ili laia iiieasure in recommend- 
ing it to persons contemplating taking llic uxuminalion. I believe those 
who fail to take your course will "not be in it "alongside of those who 
take it. 

280. I did well at card reading, thanks to your system. I know that your 
course holpi:d inr a c'n at deal. 

766. IIiaM ivr, nr.i iiiv api)ointment. * * * I owe this good luck en- 
tirely totla iii-iiiiniiai I received from your Institute. Without your assis- 
tance, I Miiiild liavr iailL'dto pass the examination, aud right here I desire 
to thank you for the interest shown in my case. If at any time I can serve 
you I am yours to command. 



How Our Work Is Appreciated. 

1195. I am greatly pleased with your promptness and am satisfied already 
with ray investment. 

1064. Your Special No. 2 (instructions about selecting an examination) is 
w orth the enrollment fee to anyone possessing clear judgment. 

IQIS. I only wish I had known of your grand school long ago. 

969. I know from experience that you can and do just what you claim. 

1292. I am well satisfied that your school is a good one and that if a per- 
son attends to his studies as faithfully as you have to me, he cannot but be 
successlul. 

.S92. I like your plan of instructions and am perfectly charmed with it. I 
confess that it is worth many a ten dollars to anybody who intends to enter 
the C. S. examination. 

1229. I am delighted with this kind of work ; it is fas jinating. 

1281- I would not have missed your instructions for twice the amount of 
enrollment. 

1135. I write you this letter thanking you for the instructions I received 
from your Institute. I am satisfied that I would have known merely noth- 
ing compared with what I have learned through your training. 

990. Thanks to the latest instructions from you, without which I would 
have made a perfect failure on the 7th subject. 



We Give Extracts From Voluntary Compliments and Prove Them. 



35 



Instructions and Drill Alone Wortli the Fee. 

762. I will never regret having caken the course even if I fail to get an 
appointment. 

1376. I am well pleased with your method and fe°l that I shall get t>te 
worth of my money even if I should not get an appointment. 

97. If I do not pass the examination I feel as though I have gotten my 
money's worth out of the drill and review. 

SiO. You have been of great assistance to me and no matter what my 
average, I feel that my instruction has done me great good. 

386. Thanks for the information yon have given me. I am satisfied that I 
have gotten SIO worth of information if I never get a position. 

376. I feel that I have not lost my money. Your instructions and drill are 
worth the price of the Enrollment Fee in themselves alone, to say nothing of 
their value to any one about to take an examination of this kind. The only 
thing that I regret is that I did not know of you sooner. 

775. I can not find words to express my gratitude for favors received. I 
wish I had been drilled in such a manner years ago. 

60. I must say that I am very well satisfied with the course of instructions 
which you gave, and know that no one can regret the amount paid you for 
the work received. I am already satisfied that I have received my SlO worth, 
even if I do not receive another bit of work from you. 

603. I find I have forgotten a great deal of what I learned at school, and 
this work will do me good if I never get a position, 

115. In the long run this is the best investment I have ever made, and if 
any one would place 81.000 on top of the SlO I have paid you, and offer me 
my choice between it and the help I gained by your instruction, I'd take the 
help gained every time. It not only helped me get through the examina- 
tion, but helped me to do it more perfectly, and I have not enough words 
at my command to thank you for your help. 

Head the Lists. 

805. Enclosed find newspaper clipping which shows that I head the list. 
This was due to you. Had I not had your instructions I would not have 
passed. 

Not '* Bad ** Averages Either, 

308. Your work helped me a great deal. I thank you very much for the 
advice and instructions received from you. My general average wa.s 95.11, 
which was better than I expected. (Highest on the list from one of the 
largest Western States.) 

179. My general average (92.61), is above my expectations and I am much 
pleased with it. (Highest on the list from one of the largest Southern 
States.) 

Heads a List of More Than 100 Eligibles Who "Expect" Appoint- 
ment as Day Inspector in one of the Largest Custom Houses. 

299. I am sure that your thorough training was of very great benefit to me, 
and I hope for appointment soon. (He is sure of appointment.) 



Special Examinations. 

stenography and Type^vriting. 

190. The examination in Stenography and Typewriting abounded in 
technical difficulties, and I do not see how any typewriter could make a 
very high standing in it unless he had days and days of drilling in this 
particular class of work, as it is something the general run of operators 
never meet with in their regular work. I have had nine years practical 
experience as stenographer and typewriter, in mercantile and law offices, 
and have never seen any such typewriting work outside of the U. S. Civli 
Service examination. (Has since been appointed as Stenographer and 
Typewriter in the War Department.) 

Bookkeeping. 

275. Your instruction in bookkeeping saved me. Although I had office 
experience and a course in the leading business college in the United States, 
I must confess that I would not have been in Washington had it not been 
for you. 

Hundreds Like These. 

586. You certainly were of great help to me. 

1160. Copying was one of the same subjects you gave me. 

906. You helped me a great deal. e>pecially in the matter of letter- writing. 
Got an average in that way above my expectations. 

125. I do not feel as if I would ever attempt such an examination without 
the Institute's instructions. 

27. * * * 1 followed your instructions precisely, and found that I solved 
some in just that way. Thanks, very much. 

59. I was struck with the similarity of the examination and the work you 
sent me. I am thankful to you for your instructions and the many pointers 
I have received from you. 

22. I thank you for your assistance. I appreciate it. 

33. I think I did well in all the subjects; thanks to the hints I have 
received from you. 

5. I am well pleased with the instructions I have received. 

397. I place everything which I answered correctly to the credit of your 

Institute, for without your information and drills I would have done nothing. 

Till- -Xntioucil t£u\iiU\ 9iaiik, 

aUasliiuiiton, g. 01. 



I have compared the abo 




Mr. Harry H. McKee is the cashier of the National Capi- 
tal Bank, and one of Washington's representative business 
men. His facsimile certificate is reproduced above. 



See Oui* $100 Offer on Page 28. 



36 



From the Wasliingtoii Press. 

(Evening Star.) 

Correspondence education is a field that is being rapidly filled. All educa- 
tional branches are being as successfully taught by mail as in the colleges. 
To many this may be news, but it is not an experiment, as it has been in 
existence in this country for the past twenty years. Our city, which we 
proudly call the political and e^ :ucational center of the Nation, has not been 
behind in this, as the National Correspondence Institute, with its corps of 
specialists, has been furnishing to the homes of the young men and women 
instruction which they possibly could never have obtained in any other way. 

(The National Democrat.) 

The National Correspondence Institute of this city is meeting with 
deserved success. Ably manap:ed, and conscientiously conducted, by a 
faculty of our best educators, it is in the front rank of correspondence schools. 
The departments of business, and shorthand and typewriting are not new, 
but the departmen"" of Civil Service Examinations is original with the 
Institute. There are many deserving young persons throughout the country 
who know nothing ot this opportunity to get into the Government service 
without political influence, as they have no idea of the regulations of the 
Civil Service Commission. The work of the Institute is valuable to such, as 
many of them could no doubt secure good paying appointments of the 
hundreds yearly made, if they only knew the proper procedure and had 
some preliminary training. 

(TJi€ Capital.) 

The National Correspondence Institute of this city is one of the best in the 
country. The instructors are all specialists in their respective branches and 
of high standing in educational circles. 

(Morning Post.) 

The National Correspondence Institute of this city offers a striking example 
of what is being done by correspondence in an educational line. A few 
years ago such a thing was almost unheard of, although it had its origin in 
this country in 1873. At first it was confined to courses of reading, and no 
attempt was made to give instruction. Of recent years correspondence 
schools of law, languages, sciences, business, shorthand, and in fact, the 
teaching of all subjects of an educational nature, has met with flattering re- 
sults, and thousands of young men and women have received an education 
at home that otherwise would have been beyond their reach. 

( The Republic.) 

The National Correspondence Institute of this city is one of the best corre- 
spondence schools in the country. It is managed and operated by a corps 
of our best educators and citizens. The department of Civil Service Examin- 
ations is strictly original and the only one of the kind in existence. 

Citizens of every State are eligible to appointment in the Government ser- 
vice, and those who get special instructions to assist them to make high 
grades, which insure appointment, are indeed fortunate. Mr. J. W. McKin- 
ley, the manager, is particularly well qualified to discharge his duties. 
His experience as an instructor, together with his thorough knowledge 
of the Government service and the rules of the Civil Service Commission, 
give him advantage in this work that few persons, if any, possess. The 
Institute has been meeting with marked success. 



We are Eiirtorsecl by the Relig-ious and Educa- 
tional Press of the Country, and the Press at 
Home. 



^.NATIONAL LORREL»>-.'i£;E INSTITUTE-' 




Much has been said about exti'iuliiiL' thp 

means of correspondence. It has i! ii.l'ns' 

has been found to work admirably m i in in. 
Inland," while in Washington nil ;i i. r, i,i \ 
tution?, the Nntinn:il ( •nn-p^i.oivl in-i 



ii've 


.f hiL'lifr 


1 li. 

r.ill 


Vl,lrv,.|ll 
-1 ,11 iiln 



nnby 
s and 
■The 



-liUai 



i ,lllu,- 



i. Iai'^v and 
- iuidsiving 
IS work ana 
lake a high 
'lire a Govern- 
Ill V), St. Louis, 



Mo. 

» * * It has been truthfully said that " confidence is a plant of slow 
growth." The National Correspondence Institute, Washington, D. C, has 
made this growth and now ranks among the best in the country for trust- 
worthiness and reliability.— .AdDonce (Congregational), Chicago. 

* * * For five years the National Correspondence Institute, Washington, 
D. C, has been before the public and made for itself a high character for 
square and honest dealings with its correspondents. — Epworth Herald^ Chi- 
cago, 111. 



See "About Testimonials " (Page 27. ^ AVu Give None. 




PENSION X 

ofpifr A 



LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 



029 944 139 8 ^ 




